After finishing fifth in the Iowa Caucuses, Governor Rick Perry returned to Texas to reassess his presidential campaign. Early this morning, there was word ftom a Perry source in "First in the South" primary state South Carolina that "It looks like he is not coming this week. He has definitely canceled his plans." That certainly fueled the speculation that the Perry campaign was over. But now, a tweet from the candidate himself is strongly suggesting otherwise.

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Along with a photo of himself in running gear and making a thumbs up gesture, Governor Perry tweeted "And the next leg of the marathon is the Palmetto State...Here we come South Carolina!!!"

The end of Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's campaign after her sixth place finish in Iowa may play a big part in a Perry decision to stay in the race. Her mostly conservative supporters are now up for grabs and this weekend's debates will give the other conservative candidates (including Governor Perry) a chance to win them over.

With Iowa in the rear view mirror and moderate Mitt Romney way ahead in New Hampshire polls, South Carolina was shaping up to be the best chance to evaluate Governor Perry's prospects of winning the GOP nomination. It would be a shame if voters in the Palmetto State don't get to have their say on the matter.

Run on, Governor Perry. Run on.